SOUTH PACIFICTOURISMORGANISATION

Sonja Hunter: Chairperson, SPTO Board of Directors

TOURISM AS A DRIVER OF SDGS21-22 May 2018

Mauritius

SIDS GLOBAL BUSINESS NETWORK PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP FORUM

SIDS GLOBAL BUSINESS NETWORK PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP FORUM

TOURISM AS A DRIVER OF SDGS21-22 May 2018

MauritiusPresentation by the SPTO Chairperson, Sonja Hunter

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

About SPTO

Overview of Sustainable Tourism in the Pacific

Constraints and Opportunities

Tourism and the SDGs – the Pacific Perspective

How Sustainable is Pacific Tourism

Way Forward

Conclusion

ABOUT SPTO• Intergovernmental body for tourism marketing and

development in the Pacific. 17 PI governments + China

• Private Sector Members (130+) and 5 reps on the Board

• Vision:“Inspire Sustainable Growth and Empower Pacific People”

Mandate:“Market and Develop Tourism in the South Pacific”

• Partners/Strategic AlliancesEU, CROP, Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation(PIPSO), National Tourism Offices (NTOs), PT&I network,Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) SustainableTravel International (STI), UNDP, Non-GovernmentOrganisations (IUCN, WWF and local NGOs)

OVERVIEW OF SUSTAINABLETOU

RISM IN THE PACIFIC

OHRLLS Tourism Experts Meeting in New York 2013 SIDS 2014 S.A.M.O.A Pathway SDGs 17, Agenda 2030 in 2015 Official Recognition of ‘Sustainable Tourism’ by the Pacific

Council of Tourism Ministers in 2015

Division established in 2016, fully operational in Jan 2017 and Launch of the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 with UNWTO

Public & private sectors have progressed significantly e.g. Governments in creating the enabling environment for tourism investment, and private sector adopting sustainable energy solutions.

Mainstreaming of sustainable tourism policies in national planning strategies e.g. 16 PICs have integrated sustainability into tourism policies with 2 developing specific sustainable tourism policies.

Partnerships in recognition of Sustainable Tourism

SPTO’S ROLE IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Improve and enhance SPTO’s institutional competence in effectively responding to andaddressing regional and global issues on sustainable tourism development.

Strengthen the organisation’s capacity in the development and delivery of sustainable tourismProgrammes relevant and beneficial to members and stakeholders.

Align SPTO’s regional sustainable tourism programmes with the 2030 Agenda on SustainableDevelopment and the Sustainable Development Goals, the Pacific Tourism Strategy 2015-2019and national priorities & plans of its members

SPTO’S SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FOCUS

Awareness, education & capacity building

Regional policy framework

Technical support to National Tourism Offices

Advocacy and establishment of strategic partnerships

Resource mobilisation

SUSTAINABLE

TOURISM

CHALLENGES

Lack of baseline data and robust M &E systems to measure sustainability.

Low level of awareness & appreciation of sustainable tourism at all levels and its importance to the Pacific

Adequate technical expertise to assist in the planning and development of sustainable forms of tourism is lacking

Lack of incentives for private sector investment in sustainability initiatives

Aligning the region’s sustainable tourism Programmes with the 2030 Agenda requires financial and technical support

Resource constraints for already struggling SMEs to implement best practice sustainable measures.Sustainable tourism practices can be expensive. Most businesses are Micro-Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

High energy costs and waste management, are increasing concerns.

Governance and Policy Frameworks and Enforcement Processes requires strengthening

SUSTAINABLE

TOURISM

OPPORTUNITIES

Technical and financial support for measuring and monitoring sustainability performance –E.g. upscale the SPTO Sustainability Monitoring Program as part of the Sustainable Tourism Enterprise Programme (STEP)

Strengthen governance and policy frameworks

Incentivize private sector e.g. through a Pacific Tourism Private Sector Support Facility

Explore effective partnerships within and outside the region

Support for targeted research in collaboration with partners

• Introduce sustainable waste management options and systems in the Pacific for effective recycling.

• Support to develop and promote Community Tourism in the Pacific

• Enhance partnerships to develop and promote marine eco tourism and Cultural Heritage Tourism

TOURISM AS A

DRIVER FOR SDGS

IN PACIFIC SIDS

SDG GOALS AND TARGETS MOST RELEVANT TO TOURISM IN PACIFIC SIDS

WHAT IS WORKING Pacific leaders commitment to

achieving the SDGs and S.A.M.O.A Pathway

Pacific Sustainable Monitoring Programme for Accommodation Sector (SPTO) piloted in Fiji and Samoa

SPTO-UNDP Green Tourism Project

Tourism and Health (SPTO and WHO)

SPREP-IUCN Climate Resilience Proposal to the Green Climate Fund

PARTNERSHIPS

SPTO – CTA Partnership on Agritourism

SPTO-UN Environment Partnership Project Proposal on Climate resilience, zero emissions tourism sector

SPTO Partnership with SPREP on:• Environmental Impact Assessment

Guidelines for Coastal Tourism development• IUCN Coastal Resilience project proposal to

the Green Climate Fund• Climate Resilience proposal for Tourism

Sector

Energy Programmes with SPC, IRENA and the Global Green Growth Institute

PARTNERSHIPS

Areas where partnerships are lacking:

Sustainable tourism research and statistics

Supporting sustainable measures to reducewaste management & energy costsspecifically for the tourism private sector.

Supportive partnership to complimentresourcing for SDGs

Support to increase enforcement capacityfor existing policies and legislations

CONCLUSION: How Sustainable is

Pacific Tourism? We are on the right track but much work still needs to

be done because its multifaceted, cross sectoral andrequires the work of all.

We are creating a culture of sustainable tourism led byPacific Values.

Embrace sustainable development in our culture andreligions and vice versa.

Incorporate resilience-building measures to addressclimate change impacts and associated environmentalchallenges

For the Pacific to be sustainable, we must change oureconomic, environmental and soci0-cultural attitudesfor a more cooperative, collaborative, communal andcoordinated approach

Sustainability is a journey and we must work together

to achieve the future we want!

WAY FORWARD We need the strong support of the development partners and donors

(human & financial)

Foster effective partnerships to pool resources, complement each other and avoid duplication

Establish and strengthen the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Network to share experiences, best practices, information and lessons learnt

Monitor and Measure sustainability performance is the Key for Future Planning. Support for improved monitoring systems is needed.

Support for transitioning to green energy and tackling waste management issues are urgently needed.

Access to financing and business-friendly financing modalities for private sector investment

Take Action! - Implement best practices, start with the simple & less expensive!

THANK YOUwww.southpacificislands.travel

WELCOME TO THE PACIFIC